Despite facing tough competition at the box office, the Hindi film Maidaan has managed to hold its own with a steady increase in earnings over the weekend. The movie, based on the real-life Indian football coach Syed Abdul Rahim and starring Ajay Devgn in the lead role, initially made an average opening of $1.2 million worldwide. However, the strong word-of-mouth and positive reviews helped boost the collections to $3.8 million worldwide over the extended four-day weekend, coinciding with the festival of Eid.
In India, Maidaan collected less than $1 million on its first day of release, but saw a significant increase in earnings over the weekend. Despite a slight dip in collections on Friday, the film managed to pick up pace and crossed the $2 million mark by the end of the weekend. With a wide release in 2500 screens in India and 1600 screens overseas, the film’s earnings have fallen slightly below expectations. However, with the festival of Ramnavami approaching, the producers are hopeful for a further increase in collections.
The film’s engaging narrative traces the inspiring story of football coach Rahim and his passion for the game. Rahim, popularly known as Rahim Saab, played a pivotal role in mentoring the golden era of Indian football during the 50s and early 60s. The authenticity of the era and the game in Maidaan is evident from the detailed research that went into its making, portraying a vivid picture of post-independence India’s government officials and societal norms.
Ajay Devgn’s portrayal of coach Rahim is praised for its grace, finesse, and patience, capturing the essence of the character with understated elegance. Priyamani, Gajraj Rao, and Rudranil Ghosh also deliver commendable performances in their respective roles. Priyamani, in particular, shines in her portrayal of the coach’s wife, bringing strength and depth to a traditionally meek character. Despite being a small role, Priyamani’s performance adds layers to the character with subtle nuances and expressions.
Maidaan faces a box office clash with the Akshay Kumar-Tiger Shroff-starrer Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, which opened with a significantly higher earning of $4.3 million worldwide. The competition between the two films may impact Maidaan’s collections in the coming weeks. However, with its engaging storyline, strong performances, and positive audience reception, Maidaan is likely to continue its steady growth at the box office. Fans of Ajay Devgn and sports dramas are expected to flock to theaters to experience the inspiring journey of coach Rahim and his contributions to Indian football.
